Head Chef

Punch; City Of London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus

Staff discount 30%

Training & development

Career progression

EAP

Referral scheme

Birthday day off

Cycle to work

Job summary

The Punch Tavern in City of London is seeking an experienced Head Chef to lead a kitchen focused on fresh ingredients and seasonal menus. You will drive culinary creativity while ensuring high-quality dishes and strong GP control in a busy gastro pub setting.

Join a brand-new opening with opportunities for training, development and career progression within Urban Pubs & Bars. You will lead a dynamic team, deliver exceptional meals, and uphold strict Health & Safety standards in a vibrant London

Qualifications

• An enthusiastic, dynamic Head Chef ready for a new challenge.
• Experience with fresh ingredients and seasonal menus.
• Experience in a professional kitchen with a clear understanding of Health & Safety.
• Proven track record of managing the kitchen and controlling stock and GP (gross profit).
• Background of dealing with high volume in a busy kitchen.
• Strong technical skill and attention to detail.
• Confident in communication and leading/motivating teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the kitchen team to deliver high-quality dishes.
• Oversee stock control and GP management within a fast-paced environment.
• Maintain Health & Safety standards across the kitchen.

Skills

Head Chef

Fresh ingredients

Seasonal menus

Health & Safety

Stock control

High volume

Attention to detail

Leadership & communication

Job description

The Punch Tavern - Head Chef - City of London - Fresh Food

This is a former 19th century Gin Palace, this historic site was named in the 1840s in homage to the regular drinkers from nearby Punch magazine. The newly refurbished Punch retains much of its original period charm, with a spacious main bar and rear dining room available for private hire. At the bar, you'll find a gin and whisky lover's paradise, plus an excellent selection of craft beer and cask ale, and carefully curated wine list. On the menu, the focus is seasonality, with pub classics alongside delicious small plates and lunchtime wraps, in the City of London.

We are on the hunt for some exceptional and creative talent.

Are you a Head Chef looking to take the next step in their career? We are looking for a Head Chef who has a great range of experience working at gastro pub food level.

Do you love working with only fresh ingredients and enjoy leading a kitchen to delivering great dishes enjoyed by all? Do you wish to add your distinctive creative flare to our pub classics and new innovative dishes?

You Are:

• An enthusiastic, dynamic and qualified Head Chef who is ready for a new challenge.
• Able to demonstrate your experience of working with fresh ingredients and seasonal menus.
• Able to demonstrate experience of working in a professional kitchen showing a clear understanding of Health and Safety.
• Able to show a proven track record of managing the kitchen and controlling stock and GP.
• Someone with a background of dealing with high volume.
• Able to show technical skill and attention to detail
• Able to spot and resolve problems efficiently.
• Confident in your communication skills and ability to lead and motivate their teams.

What's in it for me:

• Competitive salary + bonus
• Be part of a brand new opening
• Training and development
• Career progression and promotion opportunities with regular new openings around the corner
• Get out and about, you automatically get 30% discount across all our pubs, bars and restaurants
• Team trips, regular incentives and socials – a fun, family atmosphere
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support you across those tough times
• Good people know good people - an awesome referral scheme where you canearn up to £1000per successful referral
• Birthdays are for celebrating, so have the day off on us
• Cycle to work scheme

Interested in hearing more?

Welcome to London's biggest independent pub company !

Urban Pubs & Bars was founded in 2014 and has since expanded to an estate of over 67 pubs, bars and restaurants across London. In 2018, Urban Pubs & Bars was ranked number 28 in the Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic Fast Track 100 list, recognising Britain's private companies with the fastest-growing sales. We were then nominated for 2 Publican Awards in 2020, winning the award for ‘Best Managed Pub Company - 2-50 sites’ on the night. In 2021, Urban was awarded 'Best Food-led Pub Company 2021' at the R200 awards, Urban once again won ‘Best Managed Pub Company - 2-50 sites’ in 2023 and most recently won ‘Best Managed Pub Company - 2-50 sites’ and Best food offering in 2026 and In 2025 & 2026 we were recognised by Sunday Times in the Top 100 Companies to work for.